The Reaper's Apprentices #2: The Contracts

By CS Patra

The second book in the The Reaper's Apprentices series that begins the second half of the story. Four young men, part of the DS demon slaying group, try to move on with their lives after tragedy. They have spent night after night, hungry for revenge and trying to become stronger than they are. Demons have always been their number one enemy.They vowed never to let a demon escape. That was their motto. That was what they would live by.

At least, that should have been what they lived by.

One night, they find the most unusual allies who save their lives; four female demons. And thus, the contracts between human and demon were made...

• Language: English
• Publisher: CS Patra
• Release date: Sep 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311629746

CS Patra

Grace Templeton has been writing for a long time and is the author of many series. Her books include the Operation: Genome series, The Reaper's Apprentices series, Cirque Macabre series, The Portman's Creamery Mysteries, Patterns and Parallels series, and the recently added Ghosts of Burning Inn. She currently lives in NC.

Book preview

The Reaper’s Apprentices #2:

The Contracts

CS Patra

To the one, the only one

Cover design: Pixelstudios

Editing: Emma Mack @ Tink’s Typos

Prologue

May 6th, four years ago

The quiet beach towns of North Carolina rarely saw much action. There were houses and offices lined up by the ocean. The seagulls and other birds would fly around the bright blue skies and the sun shone down on white sands. They had a few shark attacks recently so the beaches had to be closed down. Other than that, everything was fine. As long as people didn’t swim in the waters, everything would be fine.

At least, everything had been fine up until tonight. Things had been quiet until the explosions started and then the quiet beaches turned into a battlefield. Within the hour, everything turned into chaos and no one could get it to stop.

Only a few hours had passed by since the action died, yet it felt like a war was still going on. Most of the people who lived in this area had evacuated it hours ago. Several homes and stores had been destroyed and the number of casualties was growing with each second. Even now, police and emergency personnel were trying to lead people away from the scene. It would take months before this area was rebuilt.

It sounded like a war zone, but it was actually a small town by the beach. What happened here wasn’t a bomb going off or a riot. No, it had been a secret war that some people had been fighting for years. This was just another fight that would go down in history. People would read about and some would have a hard time believing it. Regardless, it was true. It wasn’t a war between people. It was a war between humans and demons.

Tonight, the humans survived but had lost the battle. Despite the town being evacuated beforehand, there was too much damage. It wasn’t just the physical destruction but emotional ones as well. Those that lived were never going to forget this. From the moment that oil was raining down on them to the smell of burnt flesh, no one was going to forget the incident known as The Night of Black Rain.

This was what the people would end up calling it in the future. For now, it was just a horrible situation. That was what people on the news and those who were still around called it. They didn’t want to bring up demons. They only wanted to let people know that something horrible had gone down. Many people labeled it as a riot and it was one. However, it wasn’t the riots they were used to. The press did whatever it could to squash any rumors about demons. Some people lived in their happy, drama-free lives and they intended to keep it that way.

These weren’t the typical demons that just liked to rip people apart or act like animals. These demons were very smart and had a burning hatred towards mankind. There were many reasons why they hated people but tonight they decided to take things a step further. Once they began attacking the town, a group of demon slayers were sent in. They were supposed to stop it before it got worse. However, they were ambushed as soon as they got into town. No one was prepared for the fight that night. All they had wanted to do was get settled in first and figure out what the plan was.

The sand made it hard to run away because their feet would always sink into it. They either had to take to the streets or to the ocean. Only a few hours ago, the whole sky was bright and orange as fires raged on. It was supposed to have been a simple mission. They weren’t supposed to fight even though they had come prepared. The problem was that they weren’t prepared for a surprise attack, which was what they got. They were ambushed and had to figure out a way to fight back right away. It didn’t take long for the fires and explosions to start. Even though it was a quiet, empty area on the beach, it felt like a warzone. People were dying around them, yet they had no time to help them. Anytime they went to save someone, something blocked them. A building would burst into flames or something would try to attack. It was hopeless and all the groups had to retreat.

In the middle of all of it was a demon slaying group called DS461. They were a small group of four young men who could fight demons. Trip Duncan, Alex Ruteger, Dylan Grier, and Cole Sawyer were strong enough despite their ages. They were a smart group who rarely relied on anyone but each other. They knew how to kill demons without breaking a sweat. However, they lacked experience and it showed. The Night of Black Rain hadn’t turned out to be as fun as they had hoped. They had come down to the beach only to get ambushed and be thrown into the battle.

Trip felt guilty for many reasons. The first was the fact that he and his team were hiding behind a building that had almost been burnt to the ground. The rain and firefighters had put out the blaze before it became worse. Fortunately, everyone had evacuated the building as soon as the fire started. The second reason was that his team had failed in their mission. They had come here to help others and couldn’t do that much. Instead, they did more harm to themselves than good to others. The third and worst reason of all was that their group was down to four. They didn’t have a leader anymore. They didn’t know where to turn to or what to do next.

Save yourselves. It’s too late for me now…don’t forget who you are.

Those had been the dying words of their leader, Corwin Weaver. Though they had tried to get help on time, he died right in front of them. In the end, his main concern had been them. He wanted his team to get out in one piece. They eventually did leave but not without having some fights of their own. That was the night when they realized how little they knew. They had been trained well but it wasn’t enough against these demons. It had been a miracle that they had escaped with their lives.

911 had been called and they would soon be on the way to the hospital. There were a lot of people who needed treatment. Of course, there were even more people who needed to be headed towards the morgue. Trip took a quick look at all that remained of DS461. Alex, Dylan, and Cole were silent for a change. It was hard to look at all their injuries. They were hurt, but his team got it worse than he did. They were the ones who were taunted and tortured. Being at the beach was the worst place to get hurt. The salt water and sand made their cuts sting worse. However, those physical wounds could be taken care of. The emotional ones would take a longer time, if they healed at all.

You have no one here to save you. Those that could have helped are gone now. You are on your own and you are going to have to deal with it.

There is no good or evil anymore. There is no one to tell you what side you’re really on.

Guys?

The three of them turned to their youngest member. Trip began to feel horrible when he saw Cole looking so defeated. At nineteen, Cole didn’t have as many years working for the DS like the others. He had managed to put a Band-Aid under his eye where he had gotten cut. His blue eyes were dull and emotionless, not bright and sparkling like they normally were. The bite marks on his left shoulder and right calf were still bleeding. What hurt the most, however, was the look on his face. He didn’t look he would ever recover from this. None of them were going to be the same. They had been thrown in the middle of a war zone and realized they weren’t as experienced as they thought.

I just realized it’s my birthday. I’ve been nineteen since midnight and I didn’t know. We’ve been running around for so long that it didn’t hit me until now. Cole went on. His voice felt heavy but he tried to stay calm. The battle was over for the time being. It didn’t mean another war wouldn’t start. It’s kind of funny, isn’t it? I’m supposed to be celebrating.

Cole, listen… Trip started but Cole shook his head. He didn’t want pity right now. As far as he was concerned, he didn’t deserve it. He gingerly touched the bite on his leg and winced. It stung, but it didn’t look deep enough to need stitches. This was going to heal in time and leave a scar behind. So would the bite on his shoulder. Right now, all he wanted to do was go home. He didn’t want be put in a hotel for the night. He wanted to head straight home and sleep in his bed.

It’s okay. I was just thinking out loud. I came here because I wanted something special for my birthday. He let out a laugh. Well, I got it. It wasn’t what I expected, but I got what I asked for.

Don’t say it. Dylan muttered, looking out in the distance and seeing a dead body lying on the sand. That was just one body but it was hard to look at. In time, someone would come and collect it. They’d pick up all the bodies and pieces that were lying around. He had his hand around one piece of shrapnel that fallen nearby. He didn’t know why, but holding onto it gave him some comfort. This was what he had used to fight off his attackers earlier. He had been lucky that he escaped before things got worse. Don’t say you wanted this, because you didn’t.

I should have known better. He mumbled. Maybe if I had…

No. Alex stopped him, spitting something out in the sand. He ran a hand through his dark hair and shook out some of the water and sand in it. He had come close to drowning tonight and he still felt salt water in his mouth. Now that he knew what water torture was like, he never wanted to wish it on anyone. Just don’t say anymore. You couldn’t predict this. We didn’t know what was going to happen.

Maybe if we had been…

Guys, come on. We need to stick together right now. Our main thing is to figure out what we’re going to do next. Trip said, stopping everything before it escalated. They didn’t have time for arguments now. They needed to come up with a plan to get through the night. No doubt their families would be told about this. They would probably get some made-up story about how they had been caught in the wrong place. So far, none of their family members or closest friends knew about the demon slaying business. They would have to be kept in the dark about what really went down.

There was a smell of smoke and rotting flesh everywhere. The salty ocean breezes weren’t doing anything to mask that. Bodies lay around them. Some of them were human and others were demons but it was still death. Those that were still alive were in hiding now. They had retreated and gone somewhere safe. It wouldn’t be long before the police would intervene and the public would know what happened. More people would become aware of the demonic activity. They would be in fear of their lives. Demon slayers had failed them tonight.

Trip looked at his men and saw that they were in terrible shape. This had not turned out to be the fight they expected. You guys okay enough to walk?

Physically, I’m in pain. Mentally, I’m in pain. Yeah, I’m doing just fine. Alex muttered, looking down at the bite on his arm. That wasn’t as bad as the wound he had on his back. I have no idea what we’re going to do.

I want you to remember this for the rest of your life, demon killer. I want this burned into you. I want you to be ashamed of it. That way, you’re never going to forget.

The demon had been right. The hot iron burning into his back was the worst pain he had ever felt. It might have been a small brand but it was awful. He had already been crying but now the tears were falling faster. He crumbled to the ground while everyone around him laughed. He had no idea how he escaped them but here he was. He was with the rest of his teammates, and saw that they had suffered a lot of injuries.

I don’t know what we’re going to do either. I’m trying to come up with a way to explain all this and I’m going blank. No doubt our parents are going to hear about it. My parents don’t even know about demon slaying. How do I tell them anything? Trip sighed. For now, I think we need to go back home and heal. After that, I’m not sure. What do you guys want?

Vengeance. Dylan muttered, balling up his fists. He clenched his teeth and thought back on the humiliation they had faced. His hazel eyes were filled with hatred towards the demons. I want them to pay. I want all of them to pay. I don’t care if they were involved in this or not. I want them all to die. He buried his head into his arms. They need to die.

They will. Trip spat out some blood and wiped his nose. We’re in no shape to take them down now though. That’s why we need to go home and train harder. We need to become demon slayers that they’re going to fear. We need to heal and fight back.

So that’s your order? Cole asked. Are you going to give it to them now?

Trip hadn’t thought that far ahead. They didn’t have a leader at this moment but someone needed to step up. He nodded. Yeah, that’s my order. We retreat, we get better, we train, and we get our revenge. That’s how things are going to go. Now I don’t know how successful we’re going to be. We haven’t gotten out of here yet and it’s going to be harder once the police barricade this area. We’re going to need a miracle at this point.

How long are we supposed to wait here? Alex asked, starting to feel sick. The one thing they all knew about demons was that their bites were like animal bites. They could be infected and chances were that a virus was already in his body. He felt forehead and saw that he was burning up. He was going to need a doctor and some antibiotics fast. Already, his vision felt blurry. I feel so…bad inside. I need…I need some…

I feel hot. Dylan touched his forehead. I’m so tired…

What’s happening? Cole asked. Are we dying?

No, no one’s dying! Trip tried to comfort them but he was also feeling sick. He had gotten several scratches and bites from demons. Come on, guys! We’ve gone through so much already! We can get through this too! Just stick with me!

Your face… Dylan pointed to him. You look so red.

I do? Trip touched his face to make sure he wasn’t bleeding. He felt nothing there but had no time to ask again. The scene had changed before them. No longer were they standing around burnt down buildings and dead bodies but darkness. It didn’t feel like the same place anymore. Where am I? What is this?

You see it too? Alex asked. As it turned out, all four of them noticed how dark everything had gotten. It was night time but there had been some light out. We’re not going crazy, are we?

I just remember telling Trip that his face was red and then this happened. Dylan said. Are we dead or something?

No, you’re not dead. You’re very much alive.

That hadn’t come from one of them but a voice in the corner. Trip looked up and tried to find this person. He stood his guard as he feared this was another demon. Most of them had run off or were dead but he wasn’t surprised that one would be lingering around. Who are you?

Relax. I’m not here to fight you. The voice went on. Let’s not forget that you four are in no shape to fight anything right now. You have gone through enough tonight as it is.

Then what do you want? Alex asked. Who are you to begin with?

That’s not important right now. A new voice spoke up. What’s important is that you get back on your feet and move forward. You can’t spend your entire life dwelling here. You’re not going to help the dead this way and you certainly won’t help yourselves.

So does that make you guardian angels or something? Dylan wanted to know.

Not exactly. A third voice spoke up. You’re not dead and we’re not angels. However, what you’re seeing is real. All of this is real.

I think we should start this from the beginning. A fourth woman spoke up. It’s clear that you’re confused. Allow us to introduce ourselves. I am Avani. These are my friends Yuka, Tess, and Kaska. We are not guardian angels but demons.

The last sentence made everyone sit up straight. Trip got in front of everyone and faced the direction that the voices were coming from. What do you want with us?! You’ve already done enough damage!

No, we didn’t. We were nowhere near you until now. Tessa said. We don’t take part in things like that. If anything, we are here because you called for us.

We did? Dylan blinked. All we wanted was to get out of there.

You also wanted vengeance. Kaska pointed out. I can feel that inside of your soul. You want to get back at everyone that has wronged you. Well, we are here to help you get that.

You weren’t what I was expecting. Yuka said. That’s okay. I can get used to this.

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